The Leg Up: Northam Preview – Thursday 18 July 2019

Been waiting for PIP to make her debut and expecting her to win. Has been well educated at trials, winning her last four, and was really impressive when cruising to victory in her latest 950m Lark Hill 8/7 heat, bouncing straight to the front and hitting the line with plenty in reserve. Should jump, lead and salute. Looking forward to seeing what $130,000 yearling WORTH A RISK can do on debut. Shown enough at trials to warrant consideration. BRUCE ALMIGHTY has competed well at both outings to date and has to be a major contender, while CABLE GUY ran on strong to win his latest trial.

Tips: 7-8-1-4
Suggested: 7. PIP win.

7. PIP
8. WORTH A RISK
1. BRUCE ALMIGHTY
4. CABLE GUY

Race 2 – 1:04PM AG IMPLEMENTS MAIDEN (1100 METRES)

More than a few live chances, but happy to be with first-upper MIMS WIN. Has really hit the line in two Lark Hill trial wins and experienced hoop Jason Whiting appears to have hopped off WAR ANTHEM to partner this fellow. Maps to enjoy a soft run in transit and if he lets down like his trials he’s going to be hard to counter late. First starter PROCONSENT has shown plenty at trials and with a clean getaway should be afforded every chance on top of the speed. War Anthem was heavily supported first up and that run should bring him forwards, while ANGEL JUPITER can lift with Pike and blinkers on.

Tips: 2-4-5-9
Suggested: 2. MIMS WIN each way.

2. MIMS WIN
4. PROCONSENT
5. WAR ANTHEM
9. ANGEL JUPITER

Race 3 – 1:42PM AVON WASTE MAIDEN (1300 METRES)

Wouldn’t be surprised to see well-related first-starter STEVIE’S WONDER go close. Has had seven rials since April 2018, so have had plenty of opportunities to assess this fellow, and while he’s still very raw there does appear to be have a decent engine under the hood. Expecting to see him working through the gears well late. TRIPLE PLAN worked home well enough on debut and probably should’ve finished closer. Pike going on is an obvious positive. Expecting RICH TURF to improve sharply third up with more positive tactics anticipated, while OUR MATE BOOTS should lead and box on late.

Tips: 3-8-5-2
Suggested: 3. STEVIE’S WONDER each way.

3. STEVIE’S WONDER
8. TRIPLE PLAN
5. RICH TURF
2. OUR MATE BOOTS

Race 4 – 2:17PM AVON A RIDE MAIDEN (1300 METRES)

This is wide open and TRADE FAIR EXPRESS can make an impact. Didn’t mind his Lark Hill 10/6 and 24/6 trial efforts, and his debut was much better than it reads, when doing some good work over the final 200m. If Whiting can have him within striking distance on the turn, he has the closing speed to get over the top.
First-upper GOLDVEIN is another who should be doing their best work late. Readied for this with two trial hit outs and did show glimpses last prep. SON OF THE SUN can roll forward from a high draw and figure fresh, while WHOLE LOTTA SHAKIN has run some handy races previously.

Opted to side with the improving RAYMONDO. Looks a real stayer in the making and showed courage to box on into third at Pinjarra 11/7, despite racing three wide/no cover the entire. Suited on the quick back up rising to the mile and with positive tactics, he can race on speed and give them something to catch. AMILLIONITE is the obvious and is likely to start very short again, having been beaten a lip as a $1.45 fave last week. Pike, Durrant, respect. BLITZ ‘EM BOOTZ has worked home well at both runs so the mile should suit, and she maps to advantage, while LADY SI DAENG is a major player also.

Tips: 5-7-12-10
Suggested: 5. RAYMONDO each way.

5. RAYMONDO
7. AMILLIONITE
12. BLITZ ‘EM BOOTZ
10. LADY SI DAENG

Race 6 – 3:30PM CLACKLINE FENCING HANDICAP (2200 METRES)

Hasn’t won in almost 12 months, but this does look a decent chance for BARDSEY to get back in winning form. Hasn’t been far away all prep and he really put in over the mile at Belmont 10/7, making up a heap of ground after drifting a long way back from barrier 14. Can hold a forward position from this low draw and with only 52.5kg, has a nice advantage over the other winning chances. Eastern-states import HERE COMES LENNI is building and looks ready to peak fourth up in WA. BLACK CHIPS met with support last week and should get the run of the race, while DESIGNER PRINCE can bob up again.

KLEVA KEZZA looks ready to fire fourth up. Breezed outside a strong tempo at Belmont last start and did well to box on into third, and that solid hit out should provide her with the right platform to launch. Does race best at Northam and should take some beating. FLYING TARGET missed in a head-bobber in a similar race to this two back and forget she went around last start when trapped wide throughout. Maps to box seat and should go close. SAX ON QUE has competed well in stronger races than this recently, while NIAYCHI hasn’t done a lot wrong and is a must for your exotics.

Tips: 3-10-2-7
Suggested: 3. KLEVA KEZZA each way.

3. KLEVA KEZZA
10. FLYING TARGET
2. SAX ON QUE
7. NIAYCHI

Race 8 – 4:50PM #VISITNORTHAM HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

Not many stables are hotter than the Lindsey Smith yard and expecting their first-uuper NICKEL QUEEN to be very hard to beat. Showed plenty when last in work (really should be unbeaten) and looked to be on track with a Lark Hill 24/6 trial win. With a clean getaway from gate one and galloping room late, should be too strong. Natural on-pacer POINT TAKEN scored an overdue maiden win this track/distance second up and maps to get her chance again. SMART TYCOON looked promising last prep and expecting him to produce fresh, while ASCOT GOLD should settle on-speed and figure in the finish.